College of the Ozarks Students in Free Enterprise (COSIFE) team was named a “Regional Champion” at the SIFE USA Regional Competition held April 16, in Chicago, Ill. The event is one of 11 SIFE USA Regional Competitions held across the United States in March and April.

At competition, COSIFE presenting team members provided judges with an overview of its projects completed during this academic year. Projects ranged from teaching high school students career development skills and finance fundamentals to creating a program that helped area homeless earn a housing deposit while participating in classes on how to end the cycle of poverty.

“As a team leader and COSIFE president, I have been able to gain hands-on experience by directing projects to impact people in need and empower them to succeed,” said student Michael Schoonover. “I am very appreciative of SIFE for granting me the opportunity to increase my leadership, organizational and networking skills.”

COSIFE is one nearly 600 programs in the United States. Participating students use business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

During this academic year, COSIFE organized 14 projects in the tri-lakes community, investing more than 1,800 volunteer hours and impacting more than 64,000 people.

“SIFE is playing an integral part in molding my future,” said Chelsea Silvey, COSIFE vice president. “I am excited for what is in store for the next few years, and I recommend joining our team to anyone who longs to make a difference in his/her college and community.”

The culmination of the SIFE program is an annual series of competitions that provide a forum for teams to present the results of their projects and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. Teams compete first at the regional and national levels, then at the international level when the national champion teams from each country meet at the SIFE World Cup.

As a SIFE USA Regional Champion, COSIFE now advances to the 2012 SIFE USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo, May 22-24.